FirstRate 5

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FirstRate 5 (FR5) is a free energy rating software package that simulates the energy efficiency of a proposed new house designs in Australia. FirstRate 5 is developed by Sustainability Victoria, a department of the State Government of Victoria.

FR5 implements the Australian standard Nationwide House Energy Rating System (NatHERS) to assign a star rating which is recognised by the Australian National Construction Code as proof that a house design is energy efficient.

FR5 is one of the official NatHERS Accredited Software packages that can be used by Accredited Assessors to generate official NatHERS Certificates required by Australian planning authorities as part of the Development Application process.

FR5 uses the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Chenath engine to perform the energy calculation engines which is the same engine used by all NatHERS Accredited Software.

How to Download

1. You will need to create a user registration account via the registration form.
2. After logging in you can download the software via the download form.

How to Install

1. You will need to download and install the latest Oracle Java SE 8 JRE from Java Downloads for All Operating Systems. The Windows Offline (64 bit) installer is recommended to allow FR5 to access more memory otherwise some features such as importing PDF vectors from plans might not work. The 32 bit installer however is supported by FR5 if you only have a 32 bit computer.
   • If you have issues installing Java please read the Java 8 JRE AppDB page or try the silent install workaround.
2. You can then install FR5 by running the downloaded installer.

How to Use

FR5 comes with a PDF User Manual which you can open from the main window menu Help -> User Menu. Otherwise the file can be found at C:/Program Files (x86)/FirstRate5-x.x.x/FirstRate5Manual.pdf

There is useful information and links at the FR5 FAQs and page.

The NatHERS website also has useful information at Using NatHERS Accredited Software including the latest Handbook and Technical Note.

Application Details:

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